The Worst Sounds (probably)

What's the worst sound? Like sounds which make your entire body cringe and you think if I lost my hearing, at least I wouldn't have to hear this. Some, we can all agree on—yet others seem to be much more specific. This blog may be the comprehensive guide to the worst noises and sounds our ears have the misfortune of going through. While these are presented in a numbered list, I am willing to hear arguments for worse noises as well as specific placement and update the list accordingly.

Your face after hearing any of the noises on this list

1. Fork on a ceramic bowl: An absolute classic terrible noise which has happened to almost anyone which has ever tried to (unsuccessfully) stab food and miss—sliding the fork screechingly across the bottom of the bowl. Perhaps the worst part about this fork and bowl predicament is the fact the fork screech is caused by your own actions—your own hand is the biggest culprit.
2. Nails on a chalkboard: The quintessential terrible noise, nails on a chalkboard is referenced an obnoxious amount. Any high pitched, uncomfortable screech of a noise is always followed by "like nails on a chalkboard!" How many of us have even heard nails on a chalkboard in the last fifteen years? How many of us have even seen a chalkboard in the last decade? While nails on a chalkboard may be bad, the reference certainly is starting to become outdated by the outrageously superior white board. 
3. Knife on a bottle: In doing research for this blog, actual scientists, with actual science jobs, have done actual research into the worst sounds. In their study, they had people rate upwards of 70 sounds. Number one was the "knife bottle", which you can listen to in the Soundcloud window attached below. This is, without a doubt, an absolutely terrible noise which gets at the fundamental "worst" part of the noise. While you may never encounter the dreaded "knife bottle" in the wild with the exception of a drunk 20 something proving he can shotgun a glass bottle of beer, "knife bottle" still may hold steadfast on the list for worst sounds. 
4. The disappointed sigh of a loved one: Very underrated in almost any list, the disappointed sigh of a loved one absolutely constitutes one of the worst sounds. This comes full throttle when we know we've done something bad when we have ever opportunity to do good. When so much (disappointed) emotion is expressed through a dramatic exhale—even your ears know you're in trouble.  
5. The sound of a dog whimpering while dreaming: Heart wrenching—exhaustively and excessively heart wrenching. While we've all had terrible dreams, at least humans still have the capacity to communicate those dreams to others and receive comfort. Dogs on the other hand, their primary mode of communication is physical wiggling, occasional yelps and quizzical looks and stares. Next time you see a dog having a nightmare—without a doubt wake the dog up!
6. Your obnoxious roommate which thinks they can sing, obviously can't and haven't had anyone tell them otherwise: Whether in the car, in the shower or for their musical theater audition they just have to practice, they think they're the next Freddie but in reality they're more like the voice screaming lyrics in the video they took at a concert. Absolutely a worst sound—no doubt.
7. Stray alley cat (in heat): MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW also it's 3:00 a.m. MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW also there are six of us MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW.
8. "Plastic foam": Commonly known as the trademarked Styrofoam, (which AP style prefers the term "plastic foam") this is a noise where my bias as the author may come through. The sound of "plastic foam" rubbing against other "plastic foam" absolutely sets me on edge. I physically cringe. Also extruded polystyrene foam (just the same old "plastic foam" we've been talking about—just the fancy name) is a serious harm to the environment, as is most single use plastic, and actually deserves to be on the list of worst sounds because "plastic foam" is also one of the worst objects. 
9. An angle grinder: I actually didn't know the name of this tool before writing this blog, but, have you ever heard a neighbor or construction site doing work and ever have to ask "what the hell is causing the terrible, unnecessarily annoying sound?" Well in that instance, you've probably heard an angle grinder going to work grinding angles. For those of you which are unaware, check out the video linked here. 
10. The dentist going to town with the drill / the dentist lecturing you about flossing (which you totally did, despite your bloody gums): This sound is another one of those cringe including one which travels from your molars up into your skull and down through your spine. The noise sounds like they're trying to drill a literal screw into your head. The dentist lecturing about flossing, however, may be worse than the tooth drill. Yes, I know I should floss. Yes, I can taste the blood after you forcefully flossed me. Yes, I lied to your face about the fact I have been flossing twice a day, everyday. Totally worst sound worthy.